Colorado 8: Centennial State Showdown
Colorado’s 8th District is one of America’s newest House seats but it has already established itself as one of the most competitive. Just one of two districts where the winning candidate’s margin of victory was less than 1 percent in both 2022 and 2024, the 8th is a crucial step in Democrats’ path back to the majority in 2026.
After Republican Gabe Evans defeated Rep. Yadira Caraveo by 2,449 votes in 2024, he became a top target for state and national Democrats, who are eager to defeat the young helicopter pilot before he can solidify his hold over the district and develop into a potentially strong statewide candidate.
Now Caraveo may be angling for a rematch, but not all Democrats are happy about that prospect, and the party could face a contentious primary.
Democrats need a net gain of just three seats to reclaim the majority. Evans’ low share of the vote and freshman status make him a top priority for Democrats. But his background as a Hispanic Army captain and police officer could make him a tough out.
The Lay of the Land
Drawn following the 2020 Census, Colorado’s 8th is carved out of the suburban and rural communities north of Denver. Most of the district’s votes (roughly 60 percent) come from Adams County, the closest to Denver and the most Democratic area. Another 36 percent are cast by Weld County, due north of Adams and significantly more Republican. A small number of 8th District residents live in Larimer County.
Thornton (population 145,000) and…
